HUNTSVILLE — The Board of Directors of Christmas Charities Year Round has selected Kristin Hays as the new Executive Director.

Hays began her duties on June 12. She succeeds Cassie Scott, who has accepted a position with Quadrus Corporation, a local aerospace and defense contracting company.

Board president Markeeva Morgan believes the board’s patience and diligence during the search process paid dividends. ”We knew identifying a successor to Cassie would be a Herculean task,” Markeeva said, “but we committed to the hard work of finding and waiting for the ‘right’ candidate.”

“We’re thankful for the enormous interest in the position and the large number of candidates who applied. They are a testament to Christmas Charities’ important mission and the wonderful work Cassie and her team had done,” Markeeva said.

Markeeva also acknowledged assistant director Wanda Ashby, other staff members and volunteers who continued to serve clients during this transition. “Ultimately, we believe we have found the leader who will help usher the organization to the next level,” Markeeva said.

A Huntsville native, Hays recently returned home from the Seattle, Wash. area. She graduated from Huntsville High School and Birmingham Southern College and currently is enrolled in online graduate study through Harvard University.

After receiving an accounting degree, Hays worked in the financial industry. She became involved in her children’s school activities and local and district leadership teams.

In Federal Way, Wash., she graduated from Advancing Leadership program, served as interim executive director of chamber-supported business incubator and worked as president of Citizens for Federal Way Schools, a local nonprofit that ran bond and levy campaigns for the school district.

In addition, Hays served on an advisory committee for the district superintendent and graduated from Leadership Huntsville-Madison County’s FOCUS 35 class. She is a certified yoga teacher.

Kristin has two daughters, Kelsey and McKenna.

Hays said she is excited to join Christmas Charities’ staff, especially because she is continuing the legacy of her parents’ support of the organization.

“Christmas Charities Year round welcomes Kristin, and we know she will be a wonderful leader for our organization and the community,” Morgan said.

Christmas Charities Year Round is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has served low-income residents of Madison County since 1949. For more information, call 256-837-2373, email president@christmascharitiesyearround.org or visit christmascharitiesyearround.org.